Updated 29 July 2026 · Written by Daniel Wright
Store ripe tomatoes at room temperature, stem-side down and out of direct sun, to preserve their flavor and texture. The fridge is too cold and makes tomatoes mealy and bland. Only refrigerate very ripe tomatoes to buy a day or two, and let them return to room temperature before eating.
Tomatoes: room temperature, stem-side down, out of the fridge. Refrigerate only over-ripe ones briefly, then warm up before eating.
How to Store Tomatoes
- Keep them at room temperature, out of direct sunlight.
- Set them stem-side down to slow moisture loss and spoilage.
- Do not refrigerate unripe tomatoes; cold stops them ripening and dulls flavor.
- Let under-ripe tomatoes finish ripening on the counter.
When the Fridge Is Okay
Very ripe tomatoes can go in the fridge for a day or two to stop them spoiling, but cold makes the flesh mealy and mutes the taste. Bring refrigerated tomatoes back to room temperature for an hour before eating to recover some flavor. Store cut tomatoes sealed in a glass container in the fridge and use within a day or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should tomatoes be stored in the fridge?
Ripe ones should not, as the cold makes them mealy and bland. Keep them at room temperature and only refrigerate very ripe tomatoes briefly to slow spoilage.
Why store tomatoes stem-side down?
Placing them stem-side down slows moisture loss and keeps air from entering the scar where the stem was, helping them last a little longer.
